Friday, July 3, 2015

Thou Shalt Not Judge....

To Judge or Not to Judge

With the ruling of the Supreme Court ruling on the same sex marriages, we have been deluged with all kinds of comments. Some in favor, others against the ruling. Of course each of us are entitled to our opinions on this subject.

On my facebook page, I receive mostly those that are against the ruling, since I am a Bible believing Christian. As I read these posts, I am greatly amazed at the post in the comment section. Some agree whole heartily with the author, then there are those that disagree. I have no problem with a gentle discussion on the subject. I often add my thoughts concerning this ruling, in a non-hateful manner (hopefully). But, I read a lot of remarks that are very agitated and seemingly angry. The most aggravated posts quote the Bible stating that we should not judge, let man marry man or woman marry woman. It is not our place to judge.

What most people don't realize is, that they are actually judging me for judging others. Being a judge is what all of us do. How often have you heard someone say, "I am a good judge of character"? We look, feel, and smell fruit and veggies and judge the quality. We judge each other to determine if they are friendly or not. We judge whether or not it is safe to enter an activity. The list goes on and on, we can't make a decision about anything or anyone with out making a judgement.

The passage they are quoting is Matthew 7:1, which reads; "Judge not , that ye not judged". It never ceases to amaze me how people use the the Bible to reinforce their arguments without considering the context. 2 Timothy 2, Paul the Apostle exhorts Timothy, a young preacher, to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Study to be diligent in showing ourselves to be approved of God, in order to no be ashamed as a worker of the Gospel of The Lord. In order to do this we need to correctly understand and teach the Word of God. In my younger days in the ministry, I was given some great advice. One of these was in studying the Word, there are several things we need to take into consideration; 1. Who is speaking, 2. to whom speaking to, 3. what did they say, and 4. why they said it. In other words know the context and we can correctly understand what is intended by verse or verses.

Matthew 7:1-5, is a part of Jesus' sermon on the mount; it begins with chapter five and ends with chapter 7. In this part of the sermon, Jesus is dealing primarily hypocrites. He is telling them that they are judging others while they are engaged in the same things. Don't be judging unless you are ready to be judged with the same judgement. He is not saying that we are not to judge at all, but to be discerning. We cannot bring a brother or sister to a saving knowledge of Christ unless we first discern or judge that they need it. I think that we are seeing the word "judge", we are thinking "condemnation", and I nor anyone other than God has the right to condemn.

Many refer to the woman brought before Jesus to be stoned for adultery, and when all dropped their rock and left, Jesus said that he did not condemn her but that she should go her way and sin no more. Jesus said that He did not come to condemn but those that refused to obey the commands of God was condemned already. He says in this chapter that not all that say Lord, Lord will enter into God's kingdom. He encourages us to beware of false prophets in sheep's clothing. How can we do this without judging? Paul, in 1 Corinthians reminds the church to judge the members actions. This is not to condemn but that they might be set back on course.

I say these things in because I love you and want God's blessing for your life. He says in several passages, in the New Testament, that He give them up to their reprobate minds and those that give their approval also. I am praying that God's people will quit supporting Satan's lie and seek God's face and turn from their wicked ways and then He will heal our nation, otherwise we will fall!

I would ask that if you agree or disagree with this blog, you would make a comment and share it on facebook, twitter, g+1, or by word of mouth. I really have a concern for America and my family!

About Me

Currently pastor of Gageby Baptist Church, since 1982. Have been in ministry since 1962. I post to share my thought on various subjects. I have a Christian worldview, my mission is to share Jesus with the world.